Airbus has successfully completed one of its longest-ever test flights, flying Qantas’ first Airbus A350-1000ULR nonstop from Melbourne to Toulouse in approximately 22 hours. The eastbound journey, covering around 17,000 km, was part of the aircraft’s certification programme for Qantas’ Project Sunrise, which aims to launch nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York in 2027.
The aircraft is equipped with an additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank, enabling ultra-long-haul operations of up to 22 hours. The test campaign will continue over the coming weeks before the first aircraft is delivered to Qantas in 2027.
